Breathing shoe



March 2, 1948. s. B. AUSTIN 2,437,065

BREATHING SHOE- Filed Feb. 7, 1946` O i i x 'IYIIIIIIIIIIA 'III Inventor Selzaa B; 4 2151117 y By WM@ named Mu. z, 194s UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlCE BREATHINGSHDE Seneca B. Austin, Balboa, C. Z.

' Application February '2, 1946, Serial No. 646,088

'I'he invention as described herein, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, consists of a shoe sole, an object of which is to provide a detachable insole so formed that it will create a constant circulation of air within and throughout the inside of a shoe.

Another object of the invention is to provide a resilient insole provided with a series of channels intermediate its upper and lower surfaces,

the walking operation of a wearer of which will alternately collapse and expand the channels with every step of the wearer to draw in and expel air throughout the shoe.

A primary object of the invention is the provision of means, through the medium of an insertable insole, to prevent perspiring of the feet and especially the toes which normally results in soreness or intense itching. A

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings in which: l

Fig. 1\is a side elevation of a shoe partially broken away and in section; with the insole disposed therein being shown in longitudinal section,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal, sectional view through the shoe and the forward portion of the removable insole, the heel ,of said insole being shown in elevation, t

Figure 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure 2, and

Figure 4 is a similar view on line 4-4 thereof.

While one embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the above referred to drawings, it

Y is to be understood that they are merely for the `way departing from the spirit and intention of the device which is to be limited only in accordance with the appended claims. And while there is stated the primary eld of utility of the invention it remains obvious that it may be employed in any other capacity wherein it may be found applicable.

In the accompanying drawings, and in the fol lowing specification, the same reference characters are used to designate the same parts and elements throughout and in which. I refers to a thin leather casing in which the improved insole is housed.

-Thc insole is formed of rubber or come other 2 Claims. (CL 3H) like resilient material of a shape and size to fit b into a shoe and the material is transversely split from its toe end I2 to its shank I4. Within the layer I 5 of the device is provided a U-shaped channel I6 which extends from the toe portion i2 to said shank, said channel being traversed by a series of arcuate cross channels Il, I8, I9 and 20, which form in the instep portion 2l a series `of opposing upper and lower normally spaced apart lugs 22, 23 and ribs 23', etc., which when-weight is applied to the surface 24 of the insole the upper lugs will collapse upon the lower lugs compressing both sets and closing thesaid' mal state again, enlarging the channels, causing suction to again draw in air from the interior of the shoe, the depletion of which within the shoe causing a fresh supply to'be drawn in from the upper edge 26 of the shoe surrounding the ankle of the wearer.

One or more apertures` 26' may be provided A at or near the instep portion 2| whereby when the foot is lifted in walking air will be drawn into the cavity and upon bearing down the foot will close said opening 26' and the pressure will force the entrapped air out through the apertures 24' 'l and then be forced around the foot.

v From the foregoing specification it will become apparent that the invention disclosed will adequately accomplish the functions for which it has ,K been designed and in an economical manner and that its simplicity, "accuracy and ease of operation are such as to provide a relatively inexpensive device considering what it will accomplish and that it will find an important place in the art to which it appertainsv when once placed on the market.

It 'is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of th invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details and parts such as come within the purview of the invention claimed may be resorted to, in vactual practice, if desired.

Having now described the invention that which is claimed to be newand desired'to be procured by letters Patent is:

1. In combination with a shoe. of a removable insole therefor including a, flexible casing. a resilient rubber filler therein having intersecting ltransverse and longitudina1 interiorly disposed channels adjacent the instep portion thereof providing oppositely disposed similarly shaped ver` tically spaced lugs, and said insole being formed with an air inlet port through its upper surface connected with one of said transverse channels and with a plurality of outlet ports through its lower surface adjacent the toe end of said insole.

2. A compressiblerubber insole having trans- 10 is applied to said insole and the same compressed.

SENECA B. AUSTIN. 

